You don't have to give up dessert just because your doctor told you to cut back on your sugar intake. There are dozens of delicious, refreshing and downright delectable desserts that you can make with absolutely no sugar at all. Next time you're looking for something a little sweet to end your meal that won't triple your calorie count try one of these great sugar free suggestions to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Root-toot-fruity and frosty desserts

Fruit is naturally sweet and delicious and summertime fruit is especially refreshing. Take full advantage of fruit that is in season with one of these tasty dessert ideas using fresh fruit.

Nutty Frozen Bananas

Peel ripe bananas and cut each banana into 3 inch long pieces. Insert either a bamboo skewer or Popsicle stick into the end of each piece. Dip the pieces into sugar-free melted chocolate, and then roll them into either chopped walnuts or crushed peanuts. Freeze the bananas on a cookie sheet covered with waxed paper and enjoy as a mid-afternoon snack.

Pineapple-Strawberry Skewers

To make pineapple-strawberry skewers first rinse and hull a fresh pack of strawberries. Next slide two or three strawberries onto a bamboo skewer, alternating each one with a chunk of pineapple. Then soak the skewers in unsweetened pineapple juice or apple juice for half an hour and after that freeze for 1-2 hours. You'll have a delicious, frosty treat that's the perfect end to a barbecue meal or a family picnic.

Berry-Blast Sorbet

Puree two cups of mixed fresh berries with the juice and zest of one lemon. Strain the berry puree through a metal strainer to remove the seeds and pulp. Add Splenda or another sugar substitute to taste. Freeze the mixture in an ice cream maker and store in a covered container in the freezer. Try mixing proportions of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries until you get the flavor that you like.

Variation: Add 1/2 teaspoon of grated ginger or a dash of cayenne for an added zing.

Sugar-Free Strawberry Shortcake

No need to give up that quintessential summertime treat just because you have to cut sugar out from your diet. Here are some ways to make your strawberry shortcake guilt and sugar free.

- Slice fresh berries and sweeten with Splenda Granulated instead of using sweetened frozen berries or sweetening with sugar.

- Instead of high-calorie shortcake or biscuits, bake a sugar-free cake to serve as the base.

- Barring that, use sugar-free graham crackers or vanilla wafers instead of shortcake for your base. Just let the berries sit on them for an extra minute or two to let the juices sink in.

- Top with a tablespoon of homemade fresh whipped cream, either unsweetened, or sweetened with a packet of sugar substitute.

- OR chill two cups of skim or low-fat milk to just above freezing. Whip to a thick, bubbly froth with an electric beater, sweetening with sugar substitute.

Sugar-free Ice Cream Ideas

Do you love ice cream? You can certainly buy low-fat and sugar-free ice cream at the grocery store, but you don't have to be stuck with the few flavors that you can find sugar free. Instead, invest in an inexpensive ice cream maker and play with your own flavors. Not only will you get ice cream made with healthy, fresh ingredients, but you and your family can have a lot of fun creating your very own signature flavors. Start with this basic recipe for sugar free ice cream and then try your own variations to create a special and deliciously guilt-free ice cream.

Ingredients

3 c. nonfat milk

1/4 c. nonfat powdered milk

1 c. Splenda Granulated

8 egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 c. fruit

Ice cream maker

Start by mixing 2 cups of nonfat milk, powdered milk and Splenda in a heavy saucepan. Heat to a simmer, but don't allow it to boil. Then set aside the warm milk.

Whip egg yolks until they're thick and creamy. They'll be a light, creamy color and you'll be able to draw a spatula through the yolks and leave a ribbon.

Add one cup of the hot milk to the eggs while constantly whisking the mixture. This tempers the yolks so that the hot milk doesn't cook them.

Pour the egg-and-milk mixture back into the pot and turn the heat up to medium. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is about the thickness of thick gravy.

Stir in the cold milk (you can use half and half or light cream instead for creamier ice cream) and vanilla, then refrigerate till chilled -- at least eight hours or overnight.

Add pureed or chopped fruit to the custard mixture, and then pour it into your ice cream freezer bowl. From here on out, follow the directions on your ice cream freezer.

Sugar Free Ice Cream Add-ins

2 cups of pureed mangoes

2 cups hulled, pureed strawberries

1 cup of raisins macerated in 1/4 cup brandy or rum

2 cups mixed berries, pureed and strained to remove seeds

1/2 cup very finely chopped mint leaves with 1 c. pureed peaches

About the Author

Jennifer Bailey is a freelance writer who writes about losing weight and keeping it off by exercising and eating low calories meals made with items like Splenda.